After an overview by Kenneth R. Blessing, eight positional papers consider the role of the resource consultant in various areas of special education and discuss the current and envision the future consultant role. Lou Alonso and Charles E. Henley treat the area of the visually impaired; Hazel Bothwell, the hearing impaired; Peter Knoblock, the emotionally disturbed; Grace J. Warfield, the mentally handicapped; June Bigge, the physically handicapped; and Ruth A. Martinson, the gifted. Also discussed are the state consultant in speech correction and the consultant for children with learning disabilities. Profiles of the contributors are provided. (JD)